It’s been a good week. Socially anyway. Less so in a writing and reading sense, but I’m okay with that as it’s been nice to mix things up a little.
What I read
I kicked off the week with Kathryn Croft’s Girl With No Past, before getting into Mary Burton’s I’ll Never Let You Go—as planned.
I also read a children’s novel, Above and Beyond by Leanne Shea Langdown.
What I’m reading
I’m currently reading Kate Morton’s The Lake House. I’m a fan of Morton’s work though it goes against everything I stand for. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. But her novels are usually set in a couple of timeframes so border on the (dreaded) historical fiction genre.
What I wrote
Ummm….. Not. Much.
In fact I was incredibly slack on the writing front, though have drafted my reviews for the two books I read early in the week.
I did however share my thoughts on Above and Beyond, which included an interview with the author, Leanne about her Cheer Chick Charlie series.
What I did
I saw this delightful documentary called Gayby Baby – centred around four children being raised by same-sex parents. It was occasionally confronting, often funny and incredibly poignant. Here’s a preview in case you haven’t heard of it.
In a surprisingly social week (for me!) I went to an author event which involved coffee with Fiona McIntosh. Fiona talked to us about her latest book—The Perfumer’s Secret—as well as writing in general and I’ll share some of her thoughts in a post this week.
I also caught up with a visiting friend, blogger and photographer, Min for a lovely dinner out.
In addition I did some serious Falling Skies binge-watching; getting through seasons 2 and 3. It’s a bit all over the place and I gather s4 is pretty much a lowpoint, but I’m determined to soldier on now that I’m vaguely engaged with the those who’ve survived the alien invasion.
I also watched Pitch Perfect 2 and Child 44 on DVD last night.
What I plan to read
I’m actually not sure what’s next on my reading list as I’m yet to (chronologically) sort this week’s new arrivals (below) against the books already in my towering TBR pile.
And that’s all she wrote. After a quiet reading and blogging week last week I hope to get my mojo back a little this week. So… stay tuned! 😉
What’s on your weekly agenda?
Linking up with Kimberley for the Sunday Post and Sheila for ‘It’s Monday!’
October 11, 2015
The amount of reading you get through amazes me. I’ve been so stressed at work this week, that I’ve managed about 10mins only each night!
October 11, 2015
I tend to segment a block of time off for reading in the early evening, but I wish I could be a bit more flexible. I really want to start to read in bed…. and I know that sounds kinda weird.
October 11, 2015
I went to see The Martian last week. It’s a Sci Fi and I hate Sci Fi but there are exceptions to the rule. Kate Morton is your exception to the historical fiction rule.
October 11, 2015
I’m really keen to see The Martian Char. I don’t mind Sci Fi and fantasy on TV / in movies… Lots of book bloggers I know LOVED the book and I’d meant to read it but as the movie’s gotten closer I decided I’d see that. (I can usually only do one or the other and I gather this movie doesn’t really let the book / author down!)
October 11, 2015
I’m like you and run for the hills if I sniff a historical novel. I finally watched Rabbit Hole (a 5 year old movie with Nicole Kidman). She really is stunning. I bawled my head off at Diane Weist’s performance.
October 11, 2015
I haven’t seen the movie though vaguely recall its release. I love Dianne Wiest and she so often plays a sympathetic (and very impassioned) character.
October 11, 2015
I definitely want to read The Girl With No PAst, that one caught my eye a few weeks ago and I’m intrigued. I’ll be looking forward to your thoguhts. And Robin Cook I’ve never read, although I think he’s a suspense writer too? Seems like I saw a movie or something based on something he wrote…
Glad you had a fun event, I haven’t been to an author event or signing in a while. It’s nice to go to those… hope your weekend was nice and relaxing.
October 11, 2015
Greg I think I read some Robin Cook novels a couple of decades ago which is why I requested this one. I recall his work being medical type thrillers and think there have been a few movies etc based on his work.
October 11, 2015
Yes, Falling Skies Season 4 is a mess. It really starts to “jump the shark”. But I stuck with the show to the bitter end. I love books like The Lake House that go back and forth in time, but of course I’m a major HF lover, unlike you. I haven’t read Robin Cook in years, I didn’t know he was still publishing new stuff. I should check him out again. Have a great week, hope you get some writing done.
October 11, 2015
I was the same with Robin Cook – as I just said to Greg – I recall reading his books back in the 1990s so was interested to see this one appear on a publisher’s new release list.
Will let you know how this one goes!
October 11, 2015
Sounds like a solidly good week for you, Deb! Glad you had fun. I wasn’t sure if I had heard of Fiona McIntosh and went to her website. Oh my gosh, she has a ton of really cool looking titles listed there! Unfortunately here in U.S. we don’t hear about her but all those genres, awesome! I must try to find one of hers to read.
I used to read Robin Cook way back in the day. I sometimes enjoy medical thrillers/borderline sci-fi thrillers, such as his are. I think the title Greg was thinking of was “Coma”. It was his first novel and made into a movie, very big in its time.
I was going to watch Falling Skies, but now I’m reading from you and your commenters that it falls apart later on…hmm, oh well, I don’t know.
Have a great week!
October 11, 2015
I had high hopes for Falling Skies Rita. I only got the first season because something else I wanted wasn’t there, but I didn’t mind it so decided to keep watching. Alas….
And yes, what a pity Fiona’s work isn’ more broadly available. She’s obviously a great writer and teacher as it seems her courses (including the overseas tours) are very popular!
October 11, 2015
Great stack of books! I want All the Stars in the Heavens….and I’m reading The Lake House. Love the cover on yours. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
October 11, 2015
Ah yes, I noticed our cover for The Lake House was different! I’ve had a few interrupted nights so keen to get back to it!
October 11, 2015
lol – Now I’m curious about how you’re liking The Lake House. The Girl With No Past looks interesting. I love a good psychological thriller.
October 11, 2015
I’m enjoying The Lake House Christy – but my reading’s taken place in fits and starts over the last few nights. I hope to read it in the next night or so.
October 11, 2015
Is Gaybe Baby a movie or on TV? If movie I must look out for it, loved the piece of it you had on Facebook earlier in the week. I know quite a few of you are reading The Lake House at the moment, I have never read her, but I guess I should try her out.
October 11, 2015
Oh sorry, I realise I should have been clearer as well… it’s an Australian documentary so only had a limited cinema release here. A local organisation arranged to bring it to the local cinema.
October 11, 2015
Nice to have a social week sometimes! I went to an amazing wedding last night. But had too many champagnes. Struggling through today. I had so much to get through too so it has been rough.
October 11, 2015
Do you believe I suddenly got sick again last night? One minute I was fine and the next my throat was hurting and now I can barely swallow and am coughing. I’m going to be very grumpy if this damned flu is back.
Hopefully you’ve recovered from your night out! (I’m glad you enjoyed it!)
October 11, 2015
I have the new Margaret Atwood on my TBR too. I’m apprehensive because although I love her writing a lot, I couldn’t get through Maddaddam 🙁 Have a great week 🙂
October 11, 2015
Maree I haven’t enjoyed Margaret Atwood’s recent work as much as her earlier work so have my fingers crossed re this latest piece!
October 11, 2015
Kate Morton is an author I have always wanted to check out. I have heard great things about her writing. It’s always good to meet up with friends. Have a great week.
October 11, 2015
Yes, I’m not sure what it is about Kate Morton’s writing. I’m trying to be more conscious of the book and what lures me in as I’m reading this time around. THe plot’s fine (perhaps a tad predictable) so I think it’s the writing.
October 11, 2015
I never mind slow weeks blogging and reading if they are because I’ve got fun social things on. Like you said it’s good to mix things up. I haven’t seen Pitch Perfect 2 yet but I really want to. Pitch Perfect was so much fun!
October 11, 2015
I have to say PP2 was very disappointing. I enjoyed the last 30mins or so but could have easily quit anytime during the first hour. Everything good about the first one has been lost. Alas….
October 11, 2015
I keep seeing The Lake House everywhere and I think I need to check it out for myself! I just watched Pitch Perfect 2 recently and really wish it was better. I loved the first one so much. Have a great week!
October 11, 2015
Absolutely agree re Pitch Perfect 2 Grace!!! Very disappointing. And definitely check out The Lake House (or even one of Morton’s earlier books if you haven’t read them) if you get the chance.
October 11, 2015
Social things are important too. I’m sure you’ll be able to be more active this coming week. 🙂
Falling Skies. My love for Ben and Maggie knows no bounds, haha. 😉 I’ve yet to see season 4. It’s out on dvd here, but still a tad too expensive for us to purchase.
October 12, 2015
Oh fortunately I’ve found a rare (remaining) Blockbuster DVD rental place so I’ve been renting them. I had planned to get s4 this week (it’s a 3-night rental) but I became a little sick yesterday so decided to hold off in case I’m not up to binge-watching 400hrs of TV in 3 days! 😉
I love Maggie too!
October 11, 2015
I’m glad you’ve had a good week, Deb, and being social is definitely nice every now and then! I hope next week will be good as well, with your new books, there is no reason why it shouldn’t be 🙂
October 12, 2015
Oh very true Lexxie. I’ve got a few more of my project management hours to do over coming weeks which is great financially and I can hardly complain that it eats into my reviewing time cos I’m probably still only talking about a day’s work a week! I realised later one of the problems last week was that I actually had no books being published so I wasn’t as slack as I thought as I started drafting two reviews for books coming out later this month!
October 11, 2015
I gave up on Falling Skies early and I keep meaning to go back and try again.
A social week is a good week! I really need to get out more but things get in the way (kids!!! argh!)
Have a good week!
October 12, 2015
I’m struggling with a lot of plot holes in Falling Skies Heather. I’m like… “What happened to that female President?” and “How did they do that?” They’re the sorts of things that bother me and I tend to fixate on them. I mean I know it’s just a TV show, but when things don’t make sense it tends to bother me!
October 11, 2015
I’m a Kate Morton fan, too. and this newest novel is on my wish list. I’ve recently discovered Mary Burton, after meeting her in NYC in July at the Romance Writers of America conference. I have Be Afraid in my reading queue, and hope to then continue with her latest novel.
October 12, 2015
Oh yes I’ve read a couple of Mary Burton’s before this one and enjoyed them. I recognised her name so requested this. I hope she was nice when you met her!
October 12, 2015
I have the Trigiani book and started it a bit ago but I am currently confused about the plot. I am also worried it is really a religion-themed book. Maybe it will come together.
October 12, 2015
I’ve actually not read any of her work before and don’t think I requested this one. It’s not published until next year and I struggle with ARCs. Do I read them now (when I can’t review it) or do I hold off and read it when it’s being published (Feb 2016 I think). I never really know!
October 12, 2015
A new Atwood always sounds promising!
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-mary-karr-reading-frenzy.html
October 12, 2015
Oh I hope so Deb. I didn’t enjoy the Oryx and Crake book(s) but love her early work.
October 12, 2015
Kate Morton is an author I hear a lot about, one day I will read a book by her. Enjoy your books.
October 12, 2015
Yes Viki, Kate’s a bit of a rarity – an Australian author who does well overseas as well as here.
October 12, 2015
i love historical fiction so The Lake House looks good 😀 gonna have to add it to my TBR
October 12, 2015
Definitely do… I’m really enjoying it.
October 12, 2015
My husband watched the first few seasons of Falling Skies and then gave up on it. I’m not a big scifi fan so I skipped it. It sounds like you had a lovely week and you got some great reading done. I’ve got a few Mary Burton books but haven’t read any of them yet. I read one of Kate Morton’s books and loved it so I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks of The Lake House. Have a great week!
October 12, 2015
All of Kate’s books are very similar in terms of their structure – alternating between some point in history and present time. There’s usually a mystery of sorts (but not in a thriller type sense) about family secrets etc…
I hate historical fiction but find I enjoy them!
October 12, 2015
Some weeks I just feel like reading and NOT writing at all! Here’s to slacker weeks 😀 And I’m not a big fan of historicals, either but I’ll read funny ones or ones with great stories every once in a blue moon, too!
Have a great week this week!!!!!! Slacking totally allowed!!!
October 12, 2015
Hee hee… yes indeed. It was nice to do some TV and DVD viewing etc for a change
October 12, 2015
The cover for The Lake House is beautiful! I might have to check that one out! That documentary definitely looks interesting too. I wonder if it’s available on Netflix… I hope you have a great week and don’t feel too bad about slacking on your writing 😉
Here’s my Weekly Recap!
October 12, 2015
I’m not sure re the documentary Tracy. It was made here in Australia and had limited release. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s one of our national broadcasters in the near future. One of the filmmakers involved in the movie had been involved in a TV series looking at the same issues.
October 12, 2015
I’ve heard of Falling Skies, but never really looked into it. I should go check it out. *runs to look* Well, crap. It’s not on Netflix. 🙁 Maybe someday. 🙂 Have a great week!
October 12, 2015
Fortunately you’re not missing too much re Falling Skies. I gather s5 (the final season) has just finished there and is an improvement on s4, but a lot of people weren’t happy with the ending. At least they got to end it on their own terms which often isn’t the case.
October 12, 2015
There was a movie, The Lake House; was it based on this book? I have that Burton book but haven’t started i yet, I do like the series though. Sounds like you had a good week even if you didn’t do as much writing or reading as you wanted. 🙂
October 12, 2015
No, it’s a different book / movie Bea. This is just a new release. (But I do recall the Sandra Bullock / Keanu Reeves movie!)
October 12, 2015
I started rewatching the Murdock Mysteries on Netflix since they added like four more seasons. 🙂 I like that show and and the MC is adorable…lol. 🙂
Hope you enjoy your reads!:)
Stormi
Week In Review
October 12, 2015
I haven’t heard of the show Stormi, so will have to check that out!
October 12, 2015
The Girl with No Past looks interesting. I hope you enjoyed it 🙂
October 12, 2015
I definitely enjoyed it… and think I’ll be posting my review in the next day or two as it’s out on 15 October from memory.
Deb
October 12, 2015
Thanks for putting up the preview clip for Gayby Baby, I hadn’t heard of it but keen to watch it now. The young lad’s words at the end, got me … not all good things in life come easy. Simple truth but how much easier it could be with acceptance.
I see in the comments you’re enjoying The Lake House, there’s just something about Kate Morton’s writing, an old-world dreamy quality that is quite addictive! You had a lovely social week, would have been good chatting with Fiona McIntosh, have you read The Perfumer’s Secret, I can’t remember seeing it on your blog, not that that means a lot lol
I need to get my act together with blog posts/reviews this week … blah blah, broken record. Anyway, enjoy your new reads and hope your mojo kicks in 🙂
October 12, 2015
Teddyree, I checked out the Gayby Baby website and apparently it’s on at a few places in Qld. It’s had a pretty limited showing. I can imagine it appearing on ABC or SBS at some point.
I hadn’t read The Perfumer’s Secret or any of Fiona’s work but really enjoyed listening to her speak and she was very engaging.
October 13, 2015
Some good looking books and a bit of a variety. I like changing up genres so the books don’t all blend together. Happy reading.
sherry @ fundinmental My Sunday Memes
October 13, 2015
Ah yes, that’s something I definitely struggle with – books being too similar and I forget the detail!
October 13, 2015
I binge watched Falling skies last year, im just waiting to get my hands on the final season. I had a crap week but I’m glad yours was good 🙂
Have a great week!
October 14, 2015
I gather s5 is a big improvement on s4, so there’s that to look forward to.
Hope things pick up for you soon Shellyrae – I’m a bit the same lately. Meh. 🙂
October 14, 2015
I’ve been wanting to read the Kate Morton and Mary Burton books. They sound great. Have a great week!
October 14, 2015
Thanks Yvonne!
October 15, 2015
Gayby Baby, that’s what it’s called! Ive been trying to think of what it was called to see where I might be able to catch a screening. I still don’t understand why there’s a stigma surrounding same sex couples and adoption / becoming parents, but I’m so glad that we’re able to put out documentaries that help educate others. Really looking forward to seeing it too. Have a fabulous week Deb <3 <3
October 15, 2015
I think I’ve included the link to the site Kelly so check that out as it includes national showings. It’s delightful and really cements the fact that – many of the ups and downs faced by these kids – are the same as those faced by parents and kids everywhere.
October 15, 2015
It’s nice to have a social week once in awhile. I guess it means less time for other things, but that’s okay. Have a great week!
October 15, 2015
Thanks Lola!
October 16, 2015
Aww Deb! I’m so glad you’ve had a relaxing week 🙂 It’s ok to have a “week off” if you’re enjoying yourself, especially with getting ill and such in the past few months. You deserve it! I’m so glad you enjoyed the author event and the meeting with your friend Min 🙂 sounds fantastic!
Take care,
Amy x
October 16, 2015
Thanks so much Amy.